Mop head having removable cleaning cloth



Dec. 12, 1961 L. M. NASH MOP HEAD HAVING REMOVABLE CLEANING CLOTH Filed March 27, 1959 LAWRENCE M. NASH warm 7 M United States Patent 3,012,264 MOP HEAD HAVING REMOVABLE CLEANING CLOTH Lawrence M. Nash, Milltown, NJ., assignor to Chicopee Manufacturing Corporation, a corporation of Massachusetts Filed Mar. 27, 1959, Sen-N0. 802,347 2 Claims. (Cl. 15231) This invention relates to cleaning apparatus, and more particularly, to an implement having a head and a cleaning cloth removably secured to the head.

It has been recognized heretofore that various cleaning operations might be carried out more easily by using an implement having provisions for removably holding a cleaning cloth in position thereon and having a long handle connected to the cloth-holding structure by means permitting angular movements of the handle relative to such structure. Implements of this character are particularly useful in cleaning floors and other large surfaces. Nevertheless, the full potential of such implements has not yet been realized because of disadvantages inherent in the structures of the implements known heretofore.

In order for a cleaning implement to attain widespread acceptance, it is necessary that it be inexpensive and easy to use. The cost factor imposes limitations upon the structure of the implement itself, in that simplicity of structure and ease of manufacture are essential to the production of a low cost implement. Similarly, the structure must be such that the user may carry out the various operations required for effective utilization of the implement without going through complicated adjustments and the like.

Difiiculties also have been experienced in connection with the attachment of replaceable cleaning cloths t0 the heads of cleaning implements. In instances where the establishment of the desired connection has depended upon some special characteristic of the cloth itself, such as a peculiar or unusual cloth shape or the inclusion of fastening elements in the cloth structure, the potential of theimplement for economical utilization has been greatly diminished. This is so because of the extra processing operations required in the production of the cleaning cloths. -In other instances, the fastening devices have been somewhat difficult to use.

It is an object of this invention to overcome the objections and disadvantages experienced heretofore in connection with implements of this type, and to provide an inexpensive and effective structure which can be used conveniently.

A more specific object ofthe invention is to provide a cleaning implement with improved means for securely attaching to the head thereof a replaceable cleaning cloth in the form of an ordinary strip of fabric. I

Another object of the invention is to provide a cleaning implement so constructed that a replaceable cleaning cloth may be secured to the head thereof with a minimum of effort and skill.

The foregoing objects may be realized, according to one embodiment of the invention, in a cleaning implement having a head, a cleaning cloth, and novel means for detachably connecting the cloth to the head of the implement.

The head of the cleaning implement is provided with a groove extending'around the side walls thereof for receiving an elastic band or grommet. The length of the elastic band is such that it mustbe stretched in order to fit into the groove. This provides a pronounced gripping effect between the band and the head, and this gripping effect is utilized to detachably secure an ordinary cleaning cloth to the head. When acleaning cloth is to be 3,012,264 Patented Dec. 12, 1961 "ice attached to the head, all that need be done is to move the end portions of the cloth between the elastic band and the opposite sides of the cleaning head. The gripping action of the band serves to hold the cloth securely in position during use of the implement.

It is an important feature of the invention that the head of the cleaning tool be provided with an inclined edge portion communicating with the groove in the side thereof. This relationship greatly simplifies the task of positioning a cleaning cloth between the elastic band and the head, because the user may move a finger along the inclined edge into a position inside of the elastic band. From this position, it is a simple matter to push the band outwardly as required in order to provide space for the insertion of the cleaning cloth.

A better understanding of the structural features of the invention and their advantages will be gained from a consideration of the following detailed description of an embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings,-

the line 55 in FIG. 2, and

FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of a corner portion of the backing of the implement head.

The general nature of the implement of this invention will be evidentfrom FIG. 1 of the drawings. The implement includes a head 2 of generally rectangular shape, a long handle 4, a swivel connector 6 between the head 2 and the handle 4, and a cleaning cloth 8 removably attached to the head 2. The cloth 8 is long enough to hang loosely in the form of an elongated loop beneath the head 2 when the head is elevated above the floor or other surface to be cleaned. Then, when the head is lowered onto the floor, a portion of the cloth 8 will be interposed between the head 2 and the floor, and other portions of the cloth 8 will rest loosely against the floor. The cloth 8 and the head 2 may be moved along the floor by pushing or pulling the handle 4, and during such activity, the angular inclination of the handle 4 with respect to the head 2 may be varied as desired by the user.

As shown in FIG. 3, the head 2 of the implement includes a backing 10 of rigid but inexpensive material such as plastic or wood, and a facing 12 of an easily deformable, resilient material such as synthetic foam rubber. The facing 12 presses the cleaning cloth 8 against the surface to be cleaned with a force which can be controlled by suitable manipulation of the handle 4. Grooves or interruptions 14 preferably are provided in the lower surface of the facing 12 to reduce the frictional resistance to movement of the cleaning implement along the floor without detracting from the ability of the facing 12 to cooperate properly with the cloth 8. a

The swivel connector 6 includes a base member 16 through which it is attached to the head 2 of the hnplement. The base member 16 is formed'frorn a metal plate cut and shaped to provide a flat mounting portion 18 and a pair of upstanding ears 20. The mounting portion 18 is disposed within a recess 22 in the upper face of the backing 10 and is fixed to the backing 10 by screws 24 or other suitable fastening means.

The swivel connector 6 is attached to the handle 4 of the implement by socket means 26 provided with depending ears 28 extending parallel to each other. In the pretion shown in'FIGS. l and 3.

ferred form of the invention, the socket means 26 is made depending ear 28. This type of structure can be manufactured very economically on a mass production basis.-

The upstanding ears 20 on the base member 16 are connected to the depending ears 28 on the socket means 26 through a link 36 having a ninety-degree bend or twist in its central portion. By reason of this twist, the upper and lower end portions of the link 36 are disposed in planesat right angles to each other. The lower end portion of the link 36 is located between the upstanding ears 20 on base element 16 and is pivotally secured thereto by means of a rivet 38 or the like. Similarly, the upper end portion of the link 36 is located between the depending ears 28 on the socket means 26 and is pivotally secured thereto by means of a rivet 40 or the like. v

As will be evident, the rivets 38 and 40, and the pivotal axes established thereby, are disposed at right angles to each other. This arrangement makes it possible to swing the handle 4 in all directions relative to the base f the implement. Consequently, the difliculties involved in moving the head 2 under articles of furniture or into other restricted spaces'are minimized.

In FIGS. 3 and 4, it will be observed that Washers 42 are interposed between the end portions of the link 36 and the ears 2i) and 28. The opposite faces of each of the washers 42 are in frictional contact respectively with the link 36 and an car, so that they tend to inhibit relative movements between the link 36 and the ears 20 and 28.

The degree to which such relative'movements are inhibited is a factor of considerable importance; The frictional resistance offered by the washers 42 should not be so great that it would be difiicult to move the handle 4 of the implement'from oneposition to another. Yet, on the other hand, the washers 42 should offer sufficient frictional resistance to hold the handle in a selected position even though the handle were released by the user of the implement.

FIG. 5 clearly illustrates the relationship between a slop ing surface 48, the groove 46,. and the elastic band 44. It will be observed that an effective seat for the elastic band 44 is provided even though the upper portion of the groove 45 is incomplete inrthose zones where the groove intersects the sloping surfaces 48. ItVwill be observed also that the line of intersection between a sloping surface 48 and the groove 46 is located a substantial distance below the top of the elastic band 44. This makes it possible for the user of the implement to move a finger downwardly along a sloping surface 48 into a position inside of the elastic band 44. From this position, the user may exert whatever force may be required to move a portion of the band 44 outwardly so that an end portion of the. cloth 8 may be threaded into position.

The sloping surfaces 48 do not extend along the entire edge of the head 2. The cloth'gripping action is less effective in the zones ofthe sloping surfaces'48 than in the zones Where the top and side surfaces'of the'backing member 10 meet at a right angle and where the groove 46 is complete. It has been found in practice that adequate gripping and convenience of assembly may be ob- It has been found that washers 42 formed of nylon having fibers embedded therein meet these criteria very well.

V The small forces developed do not deform the material in these washers enough to produce substantial variations in the holding power of the assembly. In thiscormection, it is pointed out that rubber washers, which have been used in various environments to produce friction, would deform under the twisting moment produced by movements ofthe parts of the swivel 6. Such distortion causes variations in I the holding forces and also gives the handle 4a tendency to move slightly after it is released by the user of the implement.

The cleaning cloth 8 is held in position on the head 2 of the implement by means of an elastic band or-grommet 44 of rubber or other suitable material. A groove 46 formed in' the vertical faces or edges of the backing 10 of thehead 2, andextending around the entire periphery of the backing 10, provides a seat for the grommet 44. When in a relaxed, unstressed condition, the elastic band 44 has a length substantially less than the length of the groove 46. Consequently, it is necessary tostretch the band 44 in order to position it within the groove 46, with the result that substantial gripping forces are developed between the elastic band 44 and the backing 10 of the head 2.

When it is desired to thread an end portion of the cloth 8 into the space between the band 44 and a side of the backing member 10, it is necessary to movethe adjacent portion of the band 44. a short distance away from the backing 10. This movement provides a space through which the cloth 8 maybe passed to bring it into the posi- Such manipulations are facilitated in the preferred embodiment of the invention by providing sloping surfaces 48 adjacent portions of the edge of the backing 10.

tained when two sloping surfaces 48 are provided along an edge of the head 2 in spaced apart relation to each other and in spaced relation to the marginal edges of the cloth 8. This permits the full. gripping action achieved in the manner depicted in FIG. 3 'to be applied to the lateral margins andto a central portion of the cloth 8. At the same time, the sloping surfaces 48 are of sufiicient extent to minimize the difficulties encountered in threading an end of the cloth *8 into the space between the elastic band 44 and the backing member 10.

The cloth 8 preferably is a non-woxen fabric chemically treated in' such a manner that dust adheres to its surface. Fabrics of this type are commercially available at the present time, and they possess many advantages which commend them for use in connection with this invention. They are lint free and are so'inexpensive that they may be discarded without substantial economic loss when they become loaded with dust. Nevertheless, it will be evident that other-types of cleaning clothsmay be used,- if desired.

Although a single embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described in detail, modifications and variations will be evident to persons skilled inthe art. It is intended therefore that the foregoing description be considered as exemplary only, and that the scope of the invention be ascertained from the following claims.

v surrounding said head, said headincluding' a plurality of sloping surfaces communicating directly with a portion of said groove and extending from the upper face of the head to a position adjacent the inner surface of said band so that an operators finger -may be moved downwardly along any one of the sloping surfaces and behind the band to facilitate displacement of said band from said groove, said sloping surfaces being of substantial length along the edge of saidhead and being spaced apart from each other so as to leave intermediate portions of said groove uninterrupted by the intersection therewith of'a sloping surface, and ,a replaceable cleaning cloth extending across the lower surface of the head with its end portions being disposed between and gripped by the side edges of said head and said elastic band.

2. A cleaning implement comprising a generally rectangular head having a groove' 'extending around its edge, an endless stretched elastic band seated'in said groove and surrounding said head, said head including a pluralityof sloping surfaces communicating directly with a portion of so'that an operators finger'may'be moved downwardly along any one of the sloping surfaces and behind the band to facilitate displacement of said band from said groove, said sloping surfaces being of substantial length along the edge of said head and being spaced apart from each other so as to leave intermediate portions of said groove uninterrupted by the intersection therewith of a sloping surface, and a replaceable rectangular strip of chemically treated non-woven cleaning cloth extending across the lower surface of the head with its end portions being disposed between and gripped by the side edges of 10 said head and said elastic band.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 428,585

Fanning May 20, 1890 15 6 Braun Aug. 29, 1922 Kingdon Feb. 4, 1936 Cave et a1. Feb. 2, 1943 Garin Apr. 13, 1943 Hammer June 25, 1957 Antozak Sept. 3, 1957 Carlson Nov. 4, 1958 Smith Dec. 15, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS Switzerland Aug. 1, 1925 Switzerland Mar. 16, 1938 Italy Mar. 15, 1948 Germany July 12, 1956 

